17th July
Took ages to go off to sleep
Well at 9 pm it was still 90° HOT
Woke up refreshed but dreading the day. I’m going up 4500  feet in 8 miles and its going to be hot  bloody hot.
I broke camp and set off .the first chore water which wasn’t that far then on to the switchbacks .it was still fairly cool and the sun hadn’t yet woken up.i soon passed xxxx he was just waking. Morning catch you on the trail. Up and up and up   its s long way up but I was feeling good. Higher and higher phew .Again the higher I climbed the more amazing the views

I chugged   on and on  the trail wasn’t that steep oh spoke to soon. .it immediately rose sharply. .but I was still making good progress.higher and higher.my watch pinged  it was tine for Breakfast.
I sat and looked down into the valley while eating .it was a long way down and I was only half way up.

Time to walk ,round and round back  and forth. Phew it was hot but I had plenty of water but as I climbed  .maybe it was the altitude but I was suddenly exhausted and had to sit a while before I could go on.
Finally I made it to the top  but in the distance was another big mountain. I could see the trail winding its way up it in the distance. OMG  were my words. Oh here goes and set off to conquer the  next mountain. The next one wasn’t that steep and soon I was standing on the summit looking down over the valleys. Just breathtaking. Of course my camera doesn’t do it justice .

Had I finished climbing? .I bloody wish no no. The trail just kept going up.i had to keep taking breaks  as they were killing me and the heat did I say it was bloody hot late 90°
I then came to a  resting Foxy how u doing? These hills are killing me!!
I walked on whoop I was going downhill but that normally means another climb. as I sped up down the hill I came across a dad and his two children day hiking  .enjoy you hike I said then continued down looking for a nice shady spot for my lunch .At last I rested. Slurped lemonade and woofed 3 sweaty cheese and packet spam rolls. YUMMY.as I was relaxing Foxy past me see you in Ashland Foxy.
Back to the trail I was still heading down . dreading the up. I needed water but thought I could get by so began the next climb. Omg it was steep and the sun was now  roasting dam I think I should of got water and now I was angry with myself. bugger
I was struggling with these climbs and the heat. I was shouting at myself to push myself along .no good I needed to stop .I found a shady spot and glugged down more lemonade
If I haven’t said I found this drink or rather a fellow hiker introduced me to   Crystal Light  its a natural still lemonade  comes in a sachet and make a bottle or 1 litre and its just so refreshing i’m hooked on the stuff and even when your water gets  hot it’s still refreshing to drink.
I looked at my water I had almost drank the lot and my bladder was almost empty too. The problem is you are relying on a water source to be there. My next water was Bear Dog Spring in 4 miles but if that was dry and sometimes they are, then  my next water was on another 4 miles making 8  miles but it was hot very hot.
I pushed myself on   it was becoming a hard day. If I got water I may just call it a day.i trudged on and on more climbs phew I struggled up and on another climb its almost 5 pm and i have been climbing for most of the day .Another climb look a great camp spots but I need water. No good I need to take 5 minutes before the next climb.

As I sat pondering another hiker came by his name Tarzan. He was hiking from border to border so he finishes on the Oregon border tomorrow and his mate is meeting him with s car load of beer at mile 1703  so I need to try and get there too lol
I said I needed water so he gave me half a litre. His water was cold as he had  just found a spring fab.
At last I came to the spring Tarzan was already there. Waters good snailtrainer. I dropped my pack and walked down with my bladder and bottles. The spring water was ice cold perfect I chugged a litre straight down then filled up.its amazing what a  good drink can do    .I felt refreshed and invigorated and set off with speed down the trail and stomped up the next two climbs. There was an even bigger climb yet to come and as  it was now 6.30 so I thought that will do for today. I found a camp site and set up my tent. Cooked couscous and drank  a cup of coffee then 2 cups of hot chocolate time for bed   its been s tough day and y I need to be super fast to get to beer tomorrow also I cross into Oregon whoop whoop whoop

15th July
after a many minutes of hunt the  mosies in the tent I slept really well
I was up and on the  trail by 6.30 .it was time for the long decent down of approximately 13  miles through the forest. I had gone approximately 2 miles before coming to water. I filled up both bottles. Then back to the trail the trail spiralled down and down then it was switchbacks.i was feeling good as I marched. Down and down until SNAKE! !.He just lay there before slithering off

.i marched off down the trail. Far below me I could hear the sound of rushing water and eventually I came to a bridge to cross.
The waters looked so inviting .
My other pet hate about  the PCT are the midges. They don’t bite but just fly around your head and flyby your ears so all you hear is s constant buzz
A lot of people use ear buds to block out their sound.But I am an old romantic. I love to hear the sounds of the forest. Woodpeckers,the sound of the wind.of the water etc.
The trail weaves up and down and now there is poison oak everywhere. Another thing to watch out for. Plus its overgrown in . places meaning. that you have to push your way through
A lot of the foliage is from the thimble berry. Its like a tiny raspberry but tiny but very sweet and tasty.
Down below the creek  is looking even more Inviting. But I need to get to the Post office! !

Looks as if I will be following the creek all the way to Seid Valley. But as the trail turns away  the forest is immediately silenced apart from.the  crunch crunch of my feet .then as I approach the creek the sound grows steadily louder building to a crescendo
I love the sound of the roar of the water So powerful
After 3 hrs I stop for a break and glug down some lemonade mmm tasty I check the GPS  11 miles cool
Back  to The trail and another bridge crossing down and down another bridge crossing that’s a few bridges and some nice  swimming holes.but I can’t stop down and down god its so hot finally I come to another bridge number 4   i’m in a large camp ground. A buggy turn up with a load of kids in .the trail is this way an elderly lady shouts. Thank you I reply.
I walk through the comp and onto the
The road its sn 8 mile toad walk and no traffic will use it.oh and its hot!!
As I wander down the road I pass blackberry bushes and they are loaded I can’t help nut stop and gorge myself god they are so tasty .I stop and grab my cup in two minutes its full I guzzle them down and fill it again and again. But the post office do I leave  the Blackberries and continue

Then the buggy come back Connie says jump in the back and we are off.she has taken 5 kids to the camp and no going home.She is s great lady so  funny .She drops me at the road .its then a mile walk.
I cross the bridge and into town heading straight to the post office
Is there a package for me.?.The lady goes away and comes back with a small box .no I say that mine but there should be z bigger box.please  be here please.
Fantastic there is a second box
Yes its my new pack its black and green and looks very smart, i quickly swap all my gear over then post my old  my pack back

Next its Beer & ice cream
When I find somewhere to sit I can see Juicy,miles,rewind and Foxxy
Foxy is doing the 5 lb  pancake challenge.Its five enormous pancakes and he has  an hour  to  eat  them , but sadly fails

We sit under a large tree drinking iced tea waiting for the temperature to drop  Foxy  is  lying  down  trying to digest the huge mountain in his  tummy lol
I leave at 4.45 to  start on  the hill.i walk an hour just to get out of town then camp
Miles passes me. Later Juicy arrives joins me he  makes coffee then we are  joined by Rewind. Both   stop for a while. But then hike out
It takes ages for me to sleep as at 9  p m its still over 90° i’m just nodding off when I see lights its Foxxy hiking out

14th July
Well amazingly I slept so well on the top bunk even though it was roasting and there was a lion roaring beneath me lol thanks glider
The other guys were on the first ride out at 8.30 but as usual I needed to post something .I got up and continued working through my blog , emails and Facebook. It’s so wonderful to have decent Internet and the speed. I also cleared down a load of photos from my phone.
Then when the guys had gone I raided the fridge and had macaroni cheese for Breakfast .then carrot sticks celery a tomato, salad a cream cheese and pesto burrito and washed that down with two bottles of beer all before 9 am well I need the calories

I was laughing as Foxy who was eating a whole chocolate fudge and cream cake for his Breakfast yes a whole 12 inch one get in there Foxy my hero.
Then it was time to cycle to the post office I had been holding food and plus what was in the hiker box so I posted that up the trail. Well the temperatures are rising and so it was. Getting too heavy to drag up these forth coming mountains.

Right almost time to hit the trail. I checked the fridge one last time grabbed an apple and my water which had been chilling .It was going to be over 100 today and the rims were exposed. There was a ride up but it was a minimum of two or $10 so I thought I would hitch. Now hindsight is a wonderful thing and 10 bucks would have been a barging
it was hot.it was steep .UP hill. It was hot tarmac and finally NO BLOODY CARS!!! Not one bugger until I was 3/4 done but thank you, you lovely couple. Although plenty came down and several stopped to give me water .so what a great bloody start. Guess its Trail karma for me missing a few miles.
But it was a lovely walk besides that and it was fun playing spot the deer
I can see you there, you are Deer. They were everywhere but seemed mainly doe’s and some were quite tame.
The couple dropped me off at the trail head .but I was still knackered and soaked with sweat from the walk. Should have paid ten bucks that will teach me for being stingy.

But wow the view from the trail head was amazing.
Right let’s walk it’s 1.30 not going to do the miles today but we will certainly try not including the  5 miles I had just done getting to the trail.
I was walking mainly on the rims and open to the sun that I felt like a roast chicken but not to eat.
Now and then I had shade but not much and this section had little water. And I had used a far bit getting to the trail. I’m so glad it had been sat in the fridge. As it was still cold.

The terrain today was crap well that’s not really correct it was my favourite shale and loose stone the stuff that almost took me out a few days ago so I walked over it cautiously and slow. This section was mainly this so I was not going to get any speed up. Well there’s always tomorrow and a decent start in the morning means that I can claw some miles back. As I wanted to be in the next town in two days and hopefully pick up new pack .please be there .As I’m not sure how long mine us going to hold together.
Oh a stream I top up two litres just in case. I’m doing okay but not fast enough the heat is roasting it’s over a 100 phew and the time is whizzing by I dare not look at my GPS but my legs are tired and my right foot hurts today not the one that should hurt but the other I’m. Pushing on when SNAKE. It’s funny when I see a snake I turn into John Clease and do a silly walk forward back to the side. It was all black with a yellow stripe up both sides .It may of been friendly but he didn’t hang around.so then I cautiously walk past then sort of run then back to normal
So I push on again I have water, now a flat place to sleep that will do I’m half on the trail lol
Tents up tea mmm that’s tastes so good
Okay a good night’s sleep and a good day tomorrow hopefully

13th July
Woke up around 7 am the campsite was all quiet. Then it sounded like a huge Rave was kicking off and  it wasn’t even morning and a Sunday.
I lay there listening to the music .I guess I should  get up .but slowly .
I organised my gear  .my trash bag is getting bigger .It will be good to loose it later.
I’ve packed  and begin to walk to the road  at the park entrance is about 40 kids who have been on a two week hiking trip .and are waiting to be picked up.

I walked across the road to take up my normal hiking pose. As I’m siting several ladies cross the road in an attempt to get phone signal a their car has broken down. They are  helpers for the kids summer camp. There are kids as young as ten on these camps unheard of in the UK  far too dangerous. but they seem to manage the risk better here.
They tell me any off the mums should give me a ride to Etna.   and yes a mum does arriving in Etna by 10.
I pop into the shop and grab a few bits  I could do with gas (butane) as i’m wandering around   the shop I bump into Timerline
Where is the hostel I ask  ? At the end of the road snail .I wander along and find the Hiker Hut
And luckily there’s a free bed $25 plus laundry and a shower I drop. My pack there are several familiar faces  Paul the french man, REI  and Timerline
I drop my pack and chill then drop my clothes in the washer. Okay the footy is on at 12 pm .I sort my gear drink some orange juice that I just purchased.
My washing is done so I hang it on the fence. Football time , at the hiker hut they provide bikes so I cycled down to the pub/brewery.

Yes they brew on site and some marvellous Ales stouts  etc
I started with the moose IPA  7%  very tasty  and then the game starts ..Timerline is here also Pig pen and maniac
Second pint is  Classic Gold 5% mmm very English like. That was followed by phoenix red again 5%
I chased that with a blue cheese and bacon burger yummy washed down with another moose IPA later Juicy arrives  what kept you I laughed
After the game there was a wobbly cycle back.
The afternoon I spent catching  up on my blog and Facebook and trying to make my pack lighter. later Foxy arrives I hadn’t seen him since Sierra City. He’s got a whole roast chicken to eat  wow!

So a good days rest foot is feeling okay no pain so back on the trail in the morning , now a couple more beers and  then we all watched  a film on Vhs  lol

9th July
I slept really well but woke at 5 am
I heard Paul packing up  but again I didn’t need to be up till the post office opened and the post lady didn’t sort the hiker post till 11.30
So i lay in my tent waiting for it to become lighter so I could get back to my book “Deadly harvest” by Heather Graham.
I eventually had to get up for my early morning wee so  wandered across to the restrooms. There was a red pickup and the owner seemed to have cowboy camped by the side.
Back to my tent and book I was distracted by a lot of shouting coming from the red pickup.lovers tiff hard to say but it went on and on
But I could only see the guy  .so went back to my book. Eventually i got up made tea and took my trash to the bin . politely I said good morning he looked like a black Worzel Gummidg and had a back pack on he asked me if the shop was near, I told him that it was 1/2 a mile down this track.
I went back to my tent, he began to act really odd, he hovered about  not going anywhere. He just was acting very suspicious., he kept leaving but going nowhere.his friend a young girl appeared and then they left

It was now 11 and time for a walk. I put all my food into the Bear vault .and set off to the post office hoping I’d return with my new pack so that I could get back out there onto the Pct
Good morning mam I said
I still haven’t seen anything for you
Really please don’t say that  I replied
Do you have that tracking number
I didn’t as I had no cell service
But I’d check the store just in case
Nothing there either buggery fuck fuck . But I did see Tartan’s end of his hiking pole that he had lost. So grabbed that..I then decided to put my UK sim back into my phone  got service and decided to call my girlfriend in the UK. That was lovely so good to hear her voice but didn’t dare talk for long..but why chatting a few emails came through and hurrah a tracking number for Osprey.
I went back into the Post office is this the right number?  I asked
She punched it into her system
“Yes that’s correct but it says that its still at the post office and hasn’t moved.
That was Monday, it was now Wednesday. Dam I said politely.
Do you think that it will be here tomorrow?
If I’m honest, No she said
We chatted for a while she explained that there was no tracking and so nothing has happened. She asked me if I could come back at  3 and she would recheck it was now 12 and the temperature was already in the 90° so I didn’t fancy hiking out .so I agreed   resolved to the fact I’d stay another night and hike our first thing as water will be scarce on this part of the trail
oh well, I grabbed a sandwich, beer and packet of chips and slouched back to camp, grabbed my book and continued reading until 2.30 
Hi again I cheerfully called.
I’ve just checked and nothing, I could get it forwarded to Seid Valley 
I agreed gave her my details .
I went next door , brought another six pack, 2 huge peaches and a bottle of soda before the slow stomped back to camp.
I Finished my book drank a few beers glugged the soda woofed the peaches then a bloody silly wasp stung me.
These wasps are called mud wasps or so I’m told, they grab water to build their homes and are a little dozy but they still sting ouch!!
It’s 5  PM as I cook tea, what another wasted day, I’m falling behind on the trail. I begin to pack up my spare gear as i want an early start as it getting much hotter.